Picture Perfect in 2009
With 2009 drawing to a close, it is time to pay homage to the wonderful picture books that were published this year. Below are some of the favorites chosen by the youth services staff throughout the Mercer County Library System. Do you have a favorite from 2009?
Recommended by Andrea Lenhardt at Lawrence Branch:
“Amy Krause Rosenthal is one of my favorite new authors for children. Her books are very funny and slightly unconventional. She did not disappoint in 2009 with two more gems.”
Little Oink
By Amy Krause Rosenthal
“Little Oink is a neat little pig, but his parents will not allow him to play with his friends until he is messy, as pigs should be.”
Duck! Rabbit!
By Amy Krause Rosenthal
“Two unseen characters argue about whether the creature they are looking at is a rabbit or a duck.”
Pretty Pru
By Polly Dunbar
Pru’s purse goes missing and all friends deny knowing anything about it; however, one after another they are shown wearing the make-up from Pru’s purse.
Harriet’s Had Enough
By Elissa Haden Guest
“Harriet and her mother exchange mean words when Harriet refuses to pick up her toys, until an apology saves the day and everyone sits down to a spaghetti dinner.”
Jeremy Draws a Monster
By Peter McCarty
” A young boy who spends most of his time alone in his bedroom makes new friends after the monster he draws becomes a monstrous nuisance.”
Mouse Was Mad
By Linda Urban
“Mouse struggles to find the right way to express his anger, modeling the behavior of Hare, Bear, Hedgehog, and Bobcat, only to discover that his own way may be the best way of all.”
Rhyming Dust Bunnies
By Jan Thomas
“As three dust bunnies, Ed, Ned, and Ted, are demonstrating how much they love to rhyme, a fourth, Bob, is trying to warn them of approaching danger.”
All the World
By Liz Garton Scanlon
"Follow a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning till night as they discover the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to warm family connections, to the widest sunset sky.”
Read It, Don’t Eat It
By Ian Schoenherr
”Rhyming advice on how to take care of a library book.”
Recommended by Laura Gruninger at Lawrence Branch:
“I liked both of these for their read-ability in story-time.”
Magic Box
By Katie Cleminson
“Eva receives a very special box for her birthday. When she climbs inside, she becomes a master magician! After pulling quite a few rabbits out of quite a few hats, Eva throws a fantastic party with lots of cake, the very best musicians, and plenty of dancing. But for her best trick, Eva wishes for a pet named Monty and she gets even more than she imagined.”
Wow! Said the Owl
By Tom Hopgood
“A curious little owl decides to stay awake to find out how the things he sees at night look during the daytime.”
Recommended by Betty Jane Oliva at Lawrence Branch:
Let’s Do Nothing
By Tony Fucile
“Frankie and Sal have run out of things to do: "We've played every sport ever invented" and "baked enough cookies to feed a small country…" Then Sal hits upon a solution: "Let's do nothing!" How hard could that be?”
Waiting for Winter
By Sebastian Meschenmoser
“Deer has told Squirrel how wonderful snow is. But Squirrel gets bored with the wait. With his friend Hedgehog they pass the time by singing and waking Bear. Soon things are falling from the sky, but they aren't snow. But eventually they find what snow is.”
Wag
By Patrick McDonnell
“Mooch the cat tries to explain what makes Earl's tail wag.”
Recommended by Gabrielle Casieri from Hopewell Branch:
Cake Girl
By David Lucus
“A witch who does not want to be alone on her birthday bakes a cake girl, who proceeds to show her how to have a wonderful time without being mean or threatening to eat anyone.”
Recommended by Karen Cycon of Lawrence Branch:
Chicken Cheeks
By Michael Ian Black
”Illustrations and simple text describe the back ends of various animals.”
Recommended by Michelle Cromwell at Robbinsville Branch:
The Curious Garden
By Peter Brown
“Liam discovers a hidden garden and with careful tending spreads color throughout the gray city.”
Michelle said of this book, “the illustrations are very appealing and I especially like the way that just one boy is able to nurture the garden in such a way that greenery moves not only farther into the city but also into the hearts of the city’s residents.”
Recommended by Susan Unger of Ewing Branch:
Finding Susie
By Sandra Day O’Connor
“On a ranch in the American Southwest, Sandra longs for a pet but each time she tries to adopt a wild animal, she concludes that it will be better off where it belongs.”
Recommended by Emily Frey from Hopewell Branch:
Creature ABC
By Andrew Zuckerman
An alphabet book with uses photographs of animals to each letter.
But Who Will Bell the Cats?
By Cynthia von Buhler
“While a princess spoils her eight cats, a mouse and his friend, a brown bat, live on scraps in the castle cellar, but Mouse decides to place bells on the cats necks so that he and Brown Bat might live comfortably, as well. Includes the Aesop fable on which the story is based.”
I Need My Monster
by Amanda Noll
“When Ethan checks under the bed for his monster, he finds a note saying that Gabe has gone fishing and will be back in a week. He tries out several substitute monsters, but finds that none are as perfect as Gabe.”
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
by Mo Willems
“Wilbur, a naked mole rat who likes to wear clothes, is forced to go before the wise community elder, who surprises the other naked mole rats with his pronouncement.”
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
by Lauren Child
A new twist on a classic story with beautiful photographic illustrations.
Emily said of this book, “Goldilocks is by far the best!”
My Name is Sangoel
by Karen Lynn Williams
Recommended by Emily Frey from Hopewell Branch
“As a refugee from Sudan to the United States, Sangoel is frustrated that no one can pronounce his name correctly until he finds a clever way to solve the problem.”
Recommended by Andrea Lenhardt at Lawrence Branch:
“Amy Krause Rosenthal is one of my favorite new authors for children. Her books are very funny and slightly unconventional. She did not disappoint in 2009 with two more gems.”
Little Oink By Amy Krause Rosenthal
“Little Oink is a neat little pig, but his parents will not allow him to play with his friends until he is messy, as pigs should be.”
Duck! Rabbit!By Amy Krause Rosenthal
“Two unseen characters argue about whether the creature they are looking at is a rabbit or a duck.”
Pretty Pru
By Polly Dunbar
Pru’s purse goes missing and all friends deny knowing anything about it; however, one after another they are shown wearing the make-up from Pru’s purse.
Harriet’s Had EnoughBy Elissa Haden Guest
“Harriet and her mother exchange mean words when Harriet refuses to pick up her toys, until an apology saves the day and everyone sits down to a spaghetti dinner.”
Jeremy Draws a MonsterBy Peter McCarty
” A young boy who spends most of his time alone in his bedroom makes new friends after the monster he draws becomes a monstrous nuisance.”
Mouse Was Mad
By Linda Urban
“Mouse struggles to find the right way to express his anger, modeling the behavior of Hare, Bear, Hedgehog, and Bobcat, only to discover that his own way may be the best way of all.”
Rhyming Dust Bunnies
By Jan Thomas
“As three dust bunnies, Ed, Ned, and Ted, are demonstrating how much they love to rhyme, a fourth, Bob, is trying to warn them of approaching danger.”
All the World By Liz Garton Scanlon
"Follow a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning till night as they discover the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to warm family connections, to the widest sunset sky.”
Read It, Don’t Eat It
By Ian Schoenherr
”Rhyming advice on how to take care of a library book.”
Recommended by Laura Gruninger at Lawrence Branch:
“I liked both of these for their read-ability in story-time.”
Magic Box By Katie Cleminson
“Eva receives a very special box for her birthday. When she climbs inside, she becomes a master magician! After pulling quite a few rabbits out of quite a few hats, Eva throws a fantastic party with lots of cake, the very best musicians, and plenty of dancing. But for her best trick, Eva wishes for a pet named Monty and she gets even more than she imagined.”
Wow! Said the OwlBy Tom Hopgood
“A curious little owl decides to stay awake to find out how the things he sees at night look during the daytime.”
Recommended by Betty Jane Oliva at Lawrence Branch:
Let’s Do NothingBy Tony Fucile
“Frankie and Sal have run out of things to do: "We've played every sport ever invented" and "baked enough cookies to feed a small country…" Then Sal hits upon a solution: "Let's do nothing!" How hard could that be?”
Waiting for Winter
By Sebastian Meschenmoser
“Deer has told Squirrel how wonderful snow is. But Squirrel gets bored with the wait. With his friend Hedgehog they pass the time by singing and waking Bear. Soon things are falling from the sky, but they aren't snow. But eventually they find what snow is.”
Wag
By Patrick McDonnell
“Mooch the cat tries to explain what makes Earl's tail wag.”
Recommended by Gabrielle Casieri from Hopewell Branch:
Cake GirlBy David Lucus
“A witch who does not want to be alone on her birthday bakes a cake girl, who proceeds to show her how to have a wonderful time without being mean or threatening to eat anyone.”
Recommended by Karen Cycon of Lawrence Branch:
Chicken CheeksBy Michael Ian Black
”Illustrations and simple text describe the back ends of various animals.”
Recommended by Michelle Cromwell at Robbinsville Branch:
The Curious Garden
By Peter Brown
“Liam discovers a hidden garden and with careful tending spreads color throughout the gray city.”
Michelle said of this book, “the illustrations are very appealing and I especially like the way that just one boy is able to nurture the garden in such a way that greenery moves not only farther into the city but also into the hearts of the city’s residents.”
Recommended by Susan Unger of Ewing Branch:
Finding Susie By Sandra Day O’Connor
“On a ranch in the American Southwest, Sandra longs for a pet but each time she tries to adopt a wild animal, she concludes that it will be better off where it belongs.”
Recommended by Emily Frey from Hopewell Branch:
Creature ABC By Andrew Zuckerman
An alphabet book with uses photographs of animals to each letter.
But Who Will Bell the Cats? By Cynthia von Buhler
“While a princess spoils her eight cats, a mouse and his friend, a brown bat, live on scraps in the castle cellar, but Mouse decides to place bells on the cats necks so that he and Brown Bat might live comfortably, as well. Includes the Aesop fable on which the story is based.”
I Need My Monsterby Amanda Noll
“When Ethan checks under the bed for his monster, he finds a note saying that Gabe has gone fishing and will be back in a week. He tries out several substitute monsters, but finds that none are as perfect as Gabe.”
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
by Mo Willems
“Wilbur, a naked mole rat who likes to wear clothes, is forced to go before the wise community elder, who surprises the other naked mole rats with his pronouncement.”
Goldilocks and the Three Bearsby Lauren Child
A new twist on a classic story with beautiful photographic illustrations.
Emily said of this book, “Goldilocks is by far the best!”
My Name is Sangoel
by Karen Lynn Williams
Recommended by Emily Frey from Hopewell Branch
“As a refugee from Sudan to the United States, Sangoel is frustrated that no one can pronounce his name correctly until he finds a clever way to solve the problem.”
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